Category: open concept

Does Your House Have Dry Rot Damage – How to Spot It and What to Do About It

Your home is often your pride and joy. You put a lot of work into making sure it is maintained, beautiful, and works for your needs. Over time, issues will arise that need attention, and it’s up to you as a homeowner to identify these possible problems and know how to respond to them.

One issue that can happen to homes, especially as they age, is dry rot. Because so much of your home is made from wood, it can be prone to dry rot, which will, in turn, affect the structural integrity and strength of the property if serious enough. Knowing how to identify dry rot and understanding the steps you need to take to remedy the situation as quickly as possible will help ensure that your home stays strong.

Here we’ll take a look at what dry rot is, how to identify it, and what to do about it.

What Exactly is Dry Rot?

Dry rot is an issue that affects wood; it is progressive. Dry rot is actually a fungus that spreads through the wood, rotting it as it goes. As the wood rots, it becomes weak, crumbles, and even breaks, which is why it will affect the structural integrity of your home if the damage is extensive. You cannot reverse the process.

The reason dry rot occurs is because moisture has somehow gotten into the wood. As the moisture spreads through the wood, the rot is able to continue damaging more and more of the structure as it goes.

What Does Dry Rot Look Like?

So, how can you tell if you have dry rot? It’s actually pretty easy to detect to the naked eye. Typically, there is no need to have a professional come out and determine whether or not you’ve got dry rot.

MC513

The red flags you want to look for are areas of timber that look damaged. The damaged area turns brown and has broken and crumbled pieces around it. There may also be grey strands on the timber and even spore dust that is brown or orange in color. Not to worry, the dust is typically harmless.

What to Do About Dry Rot?

Fixing dry rot should actually be a two-step process. You want to fix the area that is damaged and replace the compromised wood, plus you want to take preventative measures to ensure the moisture no longer seeps into the wood, therefore, stopping dry rot from happening again. This means eliminating or at least reducing excess moisture.

Often it can be best to call in a professional to assess the damage and then make the necessary repairs. This ensures the job is done correctly, the house keeps its structural integrity, and further issues with moisture are remedied.

Don’t Let It Go

When it comes to dry rot, it should be taken as a serious issue. Leaving it unresolved will allow the dry rot to progress and in serious cases, affect the structural integrity of your home making it unsafe to live in.

Thanks to Sacramento Handyman for partnering with us on this post

February 20, 2018
Outside In: The Gardens and Houses of Tichenor & Thorp

One of my favorite books from 2017, hands down – Outside In by M. Brian Tichenor and Raun Thorp with Judith Nasatir. Outside In combines two loves of mine, interiors and gardens.

A little teaser before we begin?

From Vendome Press (the lesser quality images are from me)

From the publisher

“Deeply fluent in the Mediterranean and American vernaculars and the modern forms of the California Tradition, Tichenor & Thorp design exceptional properties that integrate large-scale residences and luxurious gardens and landscapes into a singular, unified vision: house and landscape imagined as one complete expression for a given site and particular client. The duo traverses the spectrum of periods and styles to craft beautifully realized, finely choreographed, highly appropriate living environments that resonate with individuality and precedent. Featured projects include a Spanish-inflected courtyard house and garden in Las Palmas that spectacularly frames the palm trees and the mountains; a Bel Air estate and grounds tinged with English and French influences; a Newport Beach hilltop hideaway that evokes a Portuguese quinta; a Provençal bastide and surrounding gardens transplanted to the côte sud that is Rancho Santa Fe; a Pasadena retreat inflected with John Soane–inspired details; a renovated Harwell Hamilton Harris house in Holmby Hills with a cruciform plan and corresponding gardens of individual character; two luxe contemporary Manhattan apartments; and a modern mountain getaway at the foot of the Tetons in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.”

Dreamy right? I just realized Leo snuck his hand in this photo!

The image above is from my favorite home that is featured, a “modern mountain getaway at the foot of the Tetons in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.” I have come to that section of the book over and over again.

I always love a good home library, and there are many in Outside In

One day I hope to have a studio where I can paint again, as I majored in illustration.

Outside In is a magical book that I can’t recommend enough – it will surely be one of your favorites!

*disclosure: I received a copy of Outside In courtesy of the publisher to review, but the opinions above are my own and genuine!

January 9, 2018
Modern Farmhouse tour

Modern Farmhouse

Talk about bright and airy! The overall white walls in this home and amazingly high ceilings say anything but dark old farmhouse. I would have loved to see images of this home prior to the renovation. The house is in New South Wales. The couple fell in love with it’s character and decided to give it a modern coastal feel while paying homage to it’s farmhouse roots. I’ll stop talking and let it speak for itself.

Love this outdoor dining space. The rustic table with the white chairs is dreamy.

Simplicity at it’s best

I love it all! How about you guys?

All image via Adore Home Magazine

December 12, 2017
Ideas for Expanding Your Home

There is nothing quite like having your own home. Your house is your castle and you are free to make whatever changes you see fit. This allows for all sorts of customizations which add value to the house, but mostly make it more livable. Most people will remodel the kitchen or knock down walls, but why stop there? Adding new rooms or additions to the house will help give it a unique charm, expand interior floor space, and offer new customization options. Here are just a few ideas for ways you can expand your home.

First: Consider Your Property Lines

Obviously, when thinking about making an addition to your home, you have to keep the property lines in mind. You do not want to completely obliterate the back yard, and even if that is your goal, taking up too much space can mean no more room to grow in the future. You will want to keep some space between property lines and your home regardless, as this provides room for contractors to work in. Not just builders, but any future contractors you may need to bring in for whatever reason.

Second: Consult with a Professional

When considering an addition to your house, consult with a professional architect. They can take a look at the layout of your existing home and make recommendations to keep your addition aesthetically pleasing while delivering what you are after. Note that we cannot guarantee that everything you want is possible with your existing home, but if it is – a professional will figure it out.

Start from the Back

The most common starting point for additions is to look into the back yard. Patios, pavilions, or a simple entryway in the back can help connect your home to the yard. In fact, depending on how you structure and organize the addition, you may even be able to create the sensation of your home spilling out into the yard. This can be an excellent addition for a kitchen – creating an outdoorsy space to enjoy your meal.

Consider Building Up

This depends on your foundation and local building codes, but other than those there is nothing stopping you from building up. This idea can be especially good if you are running out of room to expand. You have a number of design choices available if you choose to add a second floor to your building. Balconies are popular additions once you have some living areas constructed. It can also be a way to feel on top of the world when working from a home office.

Keep Function in Mind

When making any additions to your house, keep the function of these additions in mind. Having an idea of what you want that you do not have will inform your architectural decisions. Let your mind go wild when thinking of these additions, and only take the time to temper them down when it comes time to plan out the addition.

Do Not Neglect the Basics

When you are planning an addition to the home, it can be easy to forget the basics. Remember that you want any comforts available now to remain available throughout the home. This means remembering the electrical systems, cable systems, and of course climate control. Speak with your service providers to get recommendations about how to make sure these services remain available with any addition to your home. This is especially the case with climate control – consider a mini-split system so you do not have go through the trouble of installing potentially expensive ductwork. Cable lines should be run to the new room if it is closed in, along with electrical outlets. Though obviously, an outdoor room might do better without if it is not water-tight – consult with your local contractors when thinking about your addition to make sure your new room is as comfortable as the rest of the house!

this post in consideration with adamsairconditioning.net

December 8, 2017
Fixer Upper: Small Town Charm

Fixer Upper

I’m not really a religious watcher of any show. We have Roku in our house, not live TV, so I tend to binge watch something for a couple weeks or so and then I forget about it. I had watched Fixer Upper before and liked it but started again recently. While I generally really like what Chip and Joanna do with their projects, there was one home in particular she did that I absolutely loved. It’s from the episode “Small Town Charm”

The Kitchen

I’m going to start with the kitchen because that is what I really, really loved about this renovation. The large island with the wood counter top and apron front sink is now in my “dream house” file. The murky blue subway tiles are gorgeous too.

The antique doors are to-die-for and the type of element that really brings a home to the next level.

Gorgeous kitchen, right?

The Staircase

Another element of this home that made it stand out to me is the beautiful staircase. I love how it’s open at the bottom and keeps the entire bottom floor feeling like one big space.

The landing of the staircase gives one a view of most of the first floor!

The top of the staircase

Staircase from the dining room.

The iron grate and railing has so much charm!

The Living Room

Love the mix of turquoise and tan leather in the living room

The Master Bedroom

Love the color accent colors in the bedroom and the dresser!

Read the whole story and see all the photos at HGTV

Turns out, I had seen this home before and featured some of it in another post, Beautiful Interiors (and great tips) from Fixer Upper’s Joanna Gaines

September 27, 2017
Interior Design Tips for Adding Versatility

Interior Design Tips

No sooner have we got the home looking perfect and summery than the days start getting shorter, and thoughts start to turn towards Thanksgiving. The temptation is to completely change the décor again, but that is not always practical. Here, we take a look at four design tips for adding versatility to your living space and making it perfect whatever the season.

via Instagram

via ?

Start with the doors

Every room has them, but they are often the last thing you think about when it comes to interior décor. The fact is, the choice of door sets a tone for the look of the entire room. A light wood finish gives a fresh, airy sense in the summer months, yet is still warm and inviting when the weather turns colder.

In a smaller room, white is a great choice, as it gives a better feeling of space, but be careful in larger rooms, as it can end up feeling cold and stark. That does not mean white should automatically be ruled out, but think about combining it with soft furnishings and perhaps wall hangings.

There is a huge variety of doors available, why not have a look here to see what would work best in your home?

Soft furnishings

via Glitter Guide

via ?

When it comes to setting a theme without spending too much time or money, there is nothing like focusing on the soft furnishings. Everyone loves cushions, and it is so easy to change the covers from something pastel and bright in the summer to something warmer and darker in the winter.

However, it does not have to stop there. Also think about throws and blankets. In the summer, a white or stonewashed style throw over the back of the sofa gives that seaside feel. As the weather gets colder, change it for something thick and textured – perfect to snuggle under on a cold night.

Accessories

via Design Love Fest

A wooden basket is one of the most versatile accessories your room can have. In the summer, use it to store newspapers or magazines, and in the winter, it can become a log basket. Even if you don’t have an open fire, it is a great accessory to give your room that feel of being a sanctuary from the cold weather.

Think about what goes up on the walls too – those seascapes or wicker hangings that look great in the summer can be replaced by something warm and textured in the winter months. It is the work of five minutes, but makes a big difference.

Try a little Feng Shui

via The Snug

via The Decorista

Some people go for years without moving a piece of furniture, but we say you should redesign the layout according to the seasons. In summer, you want an airy, more minimalist feel, and if you have large windows looking out onto the world, these should be the focus of your attention.

In winter, bring things together. Create more of an inward focus, on either the fireplace or, of course, the TV. It will feel like a completely different room.

*this is a collaborative post

July 17, 2017
Modern Country House: Fresh and Welcoming

Modern Country House

This house tour embodies what the modern country house is and should be – welcoming and warm, but also fresh and bright.

An amazing open concept kitchen – white tile backsplash, marble island, wide plank floors, and built-ins galore

You guessed it – John Robshaw bedding makes this guest room serene but not sterile.

The light throughout this house is amazing

How about the meadow rooftop garden?

Image via Cottages & Gardens

May 18, 2017
Considering the Open Concept Layout

An oldie but a goodie for you on this Thursday!

Now that hubby and I are not longer spending every spare moment wedding planning, we are finally thinking about improvements that we’d like to make to our home. Our house it a 50s rambler, and while it doesn’t have the bones these amazing spaces do, we are still thinking about knocking down some walls to create a more open and modern space.

Has anyone here remodeled for a more open layout? Were you happy with the results?

March 16, 2017
Bright interiors: how natural light energizes a room

Light and Bright interiors

Bright interiors are beautiful interiors! There is nothing like natural light. Natural light has the power to completely energize and change the mood of a room. When we were house shopping, one of the first elements of a home I’d look for was natural light. I’d pay attention to window quantity, size, placement, and any exterior overhang. One of the best home improvements we ever made was replacing our small rancher living room window with a full length window. Believe it or not, ever since enlarging that window and knocking out a dividing wall, I no longer need to use my light therapy lamp in the winter.

Below are some example rooms that I though demonstrated the beauty and transformative power of natural light.

What a treat to wake up with the morning light streaming in. A simple white curtain allows the filtered light through and allows for privacy at night.

Gorgeous interior shutters can be opened all the way, and don’t impede any light from entering through the beautiful tall windows.

Lofts take the cake for bright interiors. Open concept layouts, high ceilings, and lots of windows make the most of natural light.

This dining room makes the most of morning light and would make a great place to wake up to coffee and croissants.

High ceilings and strategically placed mirrors are two well-known advocates of natural light.

all images via Disc Journal

February 16, 2017
REAL stylish and beautiful small homes – no professional styling or decorating

When you see a home featured in a magazine or online, inspiring as it may be, they are almost always styled and propped for the shoot. The magazine and photography team often brings some decor items and props and a stylist will literally make the home picture perfect. One reason I always loved Apartment Therapy was that it features homes of readers that haven’t had a professional come in and perfect the space for the pages of a magazine.

The home below is an adorable New Orleans cottage. Another great thing about the homes and apartments on Apartment Therapy is they aren’t usually 6,000 square foot estates. The one below is 1,400.

I love the antique style furniture with the modern pendant.

Check out the bold wallpaper in the hall – I love it.

The mostly white master bedroom is a wonderfully girly retreat.

The marble mixed with the wood floors is so pretty.

The shelves across the window are a great way to make more space.
See the rest of the home here.

A lot of people are against putting the TV above the fireplace, but in a small living room it’s often your only option. I’ve gotten used to seeing it and it doesn’t really bother me.

The soft gray of this kitchen and dining area is perfect.

See all of this San Francisco apartment.

The home below is in Cambridge, MA. I love that it’s quaint and minimally accessorized but still so warm.

See the full house tour.

Do you prefer seeing real unstyled homes or the ones in magazines?

April 7, 2016